Radiation cured island coating system

ABSTRACT

A process for manufacturing a metallized substrate using the island coating method, includes depositing a coating layer containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former. The coated part is then vacuum metallized to form the metal islands of the present invention. A layer of clear resinous protective dielectric topcoat containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former is then deposited to completely cover the layer of metal islands while maintaining the aesthetic properties of the metallizing island coating system at a reduced cost and with minimal variability among parts.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention pertains to vacuum deposition of amphotericmaterials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vacuum metallizing of plastic and similar dielectric substratesis disclosed in various forms including U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,992,125Fustier 2,993,806 Fisher 3,118,781 Downing 3,914,472 Nakanishi 4,101,698Dunning 4,131,530 Blum 4,211,822 Kurfman 4,215,170 Oliva

[0003] In addition, two reference books are:

[0004]Thin Film Phenomena, Kasturi L. Chopra, Robert E. KreigerPublishing Company, Huntington, N.Y., 1979. pp. 163-189.

[0005]Handbook of Thin Film Technology, Leon I. Maissel and ReinhardGlang, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, N.Y., 1970., pp. 8-32 to8-43.

[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,407,871, 4,431,711 and 4,713,143, assigned toassignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference,relate to metallizing of plastic articles and more particularly to thestructure and spacing of discrete metal islands used to metallize ratherthan a continuous metal film. The metallizing is performed utilizing theisland coating system as detailed in the aforesaid patents. The systemincludes generally spray depositing sequentially a primer coating layer,a basecoat coating layer, a metallizing layer and a topcoat layer. Asdisclosed in the above referenced patents, the coating layers containnon-volatile film forming polymers, generally in the range of 10-30%requiring flash time of 20 minutes at ambient temperature and cure timesof approximately 30 minutes at 260° F. between application of layers.

[0007] In addition to proper deposition of the coating layers, theappearance and performance of the commercial product, the conductivityof the metal layer, the corrosion resistance of the metal layer and/orthe adhesion of the top coat all relate to the structure and spacing ofthe islands. The above referenced patents provide further teachingsrelated to nucleation and film growth to the desired island structureand spacing that achieves these ends.

[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,625, assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention and incorporated herein by reference, the aboveprocess is applied to aluminum parts. In a co-pending application, U.S.Ser. No. 08/248,957, assigned to the assignee of the present inventionand incorporated herein by reference, the coating layers are modified toform a combined primer/basecoat layer. The underlying combinedprimer/basecoat can include a pigment to provide a colored metallicappearance as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,869 issued Jun. 14, 1994and assigned to assignee of the present invention and incorporatedherein by reference. In another co-pending application, U.S. Ser. No.08/248,649, assigned to the assignee of the present invention andincorporated herein by reference, the technology for coating layerdeposition is improved to allow film builds of 1.5 to 2.0 mils,eliminating significant coating irregularities.

[0009] The current island coating system spray deposits the polymericconstituents of the primer layer, basecoat layer and topcoat layer inorganic solvent carriers such as glycol ethers, glycolether acetates,aromatic hydrocarbons and dibasic esters. These solvent carriers pose awaste disposal problem increasing the cost of production significantly,a flammability hazard, as well as requiring significant flash and curetimes. If the organic solvents could be eliminated, while stillmaintaining the aesthetic properties of the metallized appearance,significant savings in time and therefore increased production, improvedsafety, as well as ease of waste disposal would be attained.Additionally, with the elimination of organic solvents the range ofsubstrates that can be metallized could be increased.

[0010] In general, the step of spray depositing is done for batchprocessing while the parts are being rotated as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,284,679 issued Feb. 8, 1994 and assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention, and incorporated herein by reference. However, theuse of rotation is not practical when dealing with substrates that arethin sheets such as thin extruded polymers, cellulose based materialsand textiles. These thin gauge sheets or sheetstocks require differenthandling and for high speed production it would be useful to be able tohave continuous in-line processing.

[0011] Apparel designers would find it advantageous to have a metallizedsheetstock made from various materials such as polymers, vinyls,cellulose based materials and textiles, that are flexible, washable,formable, and die cutable. Currently available metallic trims aregenerally either not truly metallic in appearance, or upon washing andwetting lose metallic luster or cannot be washed at all. Further, itwould be advantageous to have materials with a metallized appearancethat can be “ironed on”, i.e. a thermal bonding adhesive, in addition to“stitched on”. As one example, athletic shoe manufacturers have aperceived need to individualize their products with unique, identifiablefeatures, as for example lights that are present on one brand ofathletic shoes. Metallic trim would be useful in creating suchidentifiable features.

[0012] It would be useful to have thin polymer extrusion metallic finishproducts that can be cut on high speed electrically resisted die bladeswithout arcing. Further it would be useful to be able to utilize suchmaterials as exterior trim without corrosion and which can be used forin-mold decorating and which have the proper reflectivity or depth ofimage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

[0013] According to the present invention, a process for manufacturing ametallized substrate using the island coating system, includesdepositing a first coating layer containing a radiation curablenon-volatile film former. The coated substrate is then vacuum metallizedto form the metal islands of the present invention and a layer of clearresinous protective dielectric topcoat containing a radiation curablenon-volatile film former is deposited to completely cover the layer ofmetal islands while maintaining the aesthetic properties of themetallizing island coating system at a reduced cost and with minimalvariability.

[0014] The substrate can be formed parts of various polymers or metalsor the substrate can be a sheetstock made from materials such as a thingauge extruded polymer, vinyl, textile or cellulose based material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] The present invention provides a process of manufacturingsubstrates/parts, and the manufactured parts/substrates themselves, thathave a metallized appearance, that reduces the amount of organic wastesand production time as well as allowing continuous in-line processing ofsheetstock utilizing the island coating system.

[0016] The part can be made from a substrate material selected from thegroup comprising crystalline and/or amorphous thermoplastic elastomerssuch as thermoplastic urethanes, thermoplastic urethane alloys,polyester alloys, thermoplastic olefins, polyamide alloys and metalssuch as aluminum, magnesium and steel.

[0017] Further the substrate material can be in a thin gauge sheet form,i.e. sheetstock. The sheetstock has a thickness range of from 0.002inches to 2 inches with 0.002 to 0.5 inches being the preferred range.The sheetstock can also include textiles such as, but not limited to,cotton, denim, canvas as well as vinyls and cellulose based materialsincluding rayon.

[0018] In-line processing refers to a process wherein the material beingtreated is moved from one holding means and taken up by another andwhile moving between is treated by the process. For example,reel-to-reel processing would be one means of in-line processing.

[0019] The island coating system is then applied as taught in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,407,871, 4,431,711, 4,713,143, 5,290,625 with the improvementsdisclosed in the present invention. The island coating system includesgenerally as a first coating layer either a combined primer/basecoatlayer, or separately applied primer and basecoat layers, a metallizinglayer and an encapsulating topcoat layer. The prior art teaches thateach coating layer contains film forming polymers as disclosed in theabove referenced patents and patent applications.

[0020] The coatings of the present invention contain oligomers which canbe classified as film forming polymers or resins in standard coatingtechnology. The oligomers are blended with monomers which are lowviscosity and are considered reactive diluents providing viscosityreduction to the coating and they react with oligomers when exposed toUV light. A photoinitiator is also required.

[0021] Two publications which provide general background information onradiation curing are:

[0022]Cationic Radiation Curing, J. Koleske, Federation Series onCoatings Technology, Federation of Societies for Coating Technology,June, 1991; and

[0023]Radiation Cured Coatings, J. Costanza et al., Federation Series onCoatings Technology, Federation of Societies for Coating Technology,June, 1986.

[0024] In the coatings of present invention, the film forming polymersare radiation curable film formers. The radiation curable non-volatilefilm former is selected from the group consisting of melamine acrylate,urethane acrylate, epoxy acrylate, acrylic acrylate and polyesteracrylate.

[0025] With the utilization of radiation curable film formers, noorganic solvents are required in the present invention. Flammabilityhazards are eliminated as well as wastes. The present invention providesfor the exposure to the radiation to occur outside the coating room,therefore the excess coating fluid can be collected and recycled forreuse.

[0026] The formulation of each coating layer is therefore: Primer:  0-5%pigment 30-90% radiation curable film former  1-5% photoinitiator  2-70%monomers Basecoat: 30-90% radiation curable film former  1-5%photoinitiator  2-70% monomers Combined primer/basecoat:  0-5% pigment30-90% radiation curable film former  1-5% photoinitiator  2-70%monomers Topcoat:  0-3% UV absorber 30-90% radiation curable film former 1-5% photoinitiator  2-70% monomers

[0027] The photoinitiator is selected from the group consisting ofphenylketones, benzophenone, diazonium salts, diaryliodonium salts,triarylsulphonium salts, benzoin ethers, thioxantones and oxime esters.

[0028] The pigment can be black or other colors such as red, green,yellow or purple. In the preferred embodiment a black pigment is used.

[0029] In the practice of the improvements of the present invention, theprimer, basecoat and topcoat layers (or coatings) can be appliedutilizing spray technology, generally high volume, low pressure sprayequipment to atomize the coatings. The coatings may be heated (100°-120°F.) to assist with coating flow out. The coatings are applied while theparts are at ambient or elevated temperature (20°-150° F.). If preformedparts are being coated, the parts can be done in “batch” and in thepreferred embodiment while the parts are rotating.

[0030] If the substrate is a sheetstock, in-line processing can be usedfor high volume processing utilizing the present invention. For thisprocess coatings can be applied with spray technology but also roller orknife deposition as is known in the art can be used. D. Satas, WebProcessing & Converting Technology & Equipment, VanNostrand, Reinhold,N.Y., 1984; Kallendorf, C. F., ed. Radiation Curing Primer I: Inks,Coatings & Adhesives, Rad Tech International Park America, 60 revereDrive, Suite 500, Northbrook, Ill. 60062, 1990. For low volumeapplications individual sheets can be processed using either currentmetallization procedures or the present invention.

[0031] Generally only one side of the sheetstock is metallized, but bothsides can be metallized. The one side metallized can be on the firstsurface, e.g., the surface of the substrate that faces in the directionof the light impinging on the substrate carrying the discontinuous layerof metal. In this case the light impinging on the surface of thesubstrate passes through the discontinuous layer of metal first withpart of the light being reflected back from the metal islands and notreaching the surface.

[0032] Alternatively the metallizing can be on the substrate surfaceopposite the first surface. In this case the opposite surface, or secondsurface, has the discontinuous layer of metal formed thereon and thelight passes through the substrate (either transparent or translucentmaterial) before it is reflected back through the substrate again fromthe discontinuous layer of metal.

[0033] The coatings in the present invention do not require a flash timesince there are no solvents to evaporate. The coatings are cured byultraviolet radiation from a suitable source such as an ultraviolet lampfor less than five minutes. The coating thicknesses are between 0.5 and2.0 mils for each coating as set forth in the prior art with 1.5 milbeing the preferred thickness.

[0034] Because of the elimination of the flash step and the significantreduction in cure time compared to the prior art island coating system,the time to produce metallized parts is reduced. The efficiency of theproduction line making metallized parts is increased by at least 60% andcontinuous in-line processing of sheetstock can be undertaken.

[0035] In a second embodiment, liquid inorganic carriers such as CO₂ canbe substituted for part of the organic solvent carriers as marketed byUnion Carbide in their UNICARBS system. Applicant has utilized thissystem and in the practice of the present invention some organicsolvents are necessary to maintain proper flow rate and consistency.

[0036] In a further embodiment, a hardcoat layer is applied on thetopcoat layer. The hardcoat layer can be applied to improve scratchresistance. This hardcoat layer can be applied to improve scratchresistance where flexibility is not required. This hardcoat layer can beselected from the group consisting thermally cured silicone coatings andUV cured acrylate and methacrylate coatings.

[0037] The present invention provides thin extrusion polymer sheetstockwith a metallic finish. These thin extrusion polymers have wideapplication in exterior and interior trims, particularly in theautomotive industry. In the prior art sheetstock with a continuous,non-island, metallized layer when cut on high speed electricallyresisted die blades would arc. However, metallized sheetstock preparedwith the island coating system can be die cut since no arcing can occurbecause the metal layer is not conductive. In general for theseapplications, the sheetstock is selected from crystalline and/oramorphous thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic urethanes,thermoplastic urethane alloys, polyester alloys, thermoplastic olefins,polyamide alloys as well as vinyls, textiles and cellulose basedmaterials.

[0038] The present invention provides metallized thin extrudedelastomeric plastic sheets, 0.002 to 0.010 inches in thickness, whichcan be used effectively in trim applications without crinkle. Because ofthe flexible nature of the island coating these sheets can be stretchedover complex geometric shapes as well as be “molded in” to complexshaped products to eliminate the need for an adhesive. In second surfaceapplications, depth of image (DOI) provides an exact image as doeschrome without the performance problems of chrome.

[0039] The present invention also provides a metallized substrate whichis flexible, washable, and can be either attached with adhesive orstitched to an appropriate object and in particular to wearing apparel.The metallization can be performed either as taught by U.S. Pat. Nos.4,407,871, 4,431,711 and 4,713,143, or with the improvements of thepresent invention. The object can be clothes, shoes or the like.

[0040] These improvements allow the substrate to be materials whichshould not be exposed to organic solvents such as textiles andcontinuous in-line processing, i.e. metallizing, can be used tomanufacture the substrate. The substrate for use in apparel and trims isgenerally selected from the group consisting of polymers, generally athermoplastic urethane (TPU), vinyls, cellulose derived materials suchas paper, wood and rayon, and textiles such as cotton, wool and silk.The substrate can be in any shape, but in the preferred embodiment it isin sheet form so that it can be die cut into the appropriate shape to beapplied to apparel. Further, in another preferred embodiment thesubstrate can be laundered using standard procedures and can go throughthe drying cycle of a dryer. Polyester elastomer substrates such asHytrelÏ and polyurethane elastomer substrates such as RyniteÏ have beenused in the present invention as well as thermoplastic polyestersheetstock such as EstaneÏ. The substrate can be formed into trims forapparel or apparel trim itself can be processed with the presentinvention. Further articles of clothing themselves, such as shoes, canalso be metallized with the present invention.

[0041] Additional appearance modifications can be achieved by eithermechanically abrading the metal layer in random or structured patternsprior to topcoating. “Splattering” the metal layer with 1% nitric,sulfuric or hydrochloric acid prior to topcoating also provides amottled visual effect.

[0042] The present invention also provides the advantages that differentpigments can be added to the basecoats or dyes added to the topcoat toproduce different colored appearances. Alternatively, the substrateitself can have color as set forth in the '869 Patent. Also, secondaryaccents can be achieved by painting directly over the topcoat.Additionally, ink transfers in a variety of patterns can also be appliedin order to produce a variety of looks, as for example snakeskin andgeometric patterns.

[0043] The process provides metallized sheetstock which can be formedinto trim which are metallic in appearance and are flexible, washableand formable into sheets for die cutting. The process also provides forthe application of the island coating system on both cellulose derivedand textile materials.

[0044] The invention will now be described by way of the followingexamples with it being understood that other advantages and a morecomplete understanding of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the detailed description of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

[0045] Four preformed parts for automobiles were metallized utilizingthe island coating system as in the present invention. The radiationcurable combination primer/basecoat was spray coated and then cured by a1 minute exposure to a UV lamp. The parts were rotated during theexposure. The parts were then vacuum metallized with indium and aradiation curable clear topcoat was then spray coated onto the part.Curing was by a 1 minute exposure to a UV lamp. The parts were rotatedduring the exposure. Part Material Appearance Headlight AcrylonitrileBright, smooth Reflector butadiene styrene reflective Doorpull Glassfilled Nylon Bright, smooth reflective Wheel Aluminum Bright, smoothreflective Radiator Thermoplastic Bright, smooth Grille Urethanereflective

[0046] The parts all had a metallized appearance that was withinacceptable parameters. Diffuse reflectance was within 45-65 units,distinctness of image (DOI) was >90 units, gloss was >100 units and hazewas <23 units for each part.

EXAMPLE 2

[0047] Two molded footwear heel plates and two pieces of TPU sheetstockwere metallized. The samples were washed in a home washing machine anddried in a home dryer through ten cycles over a period of several days.Generally the washing cycles included a warm wash and a cold rinse witha commercial laundry detergent and non-chlorine bleach. The dryer wasset on an automatic cycle which is approximately 35-40 minutes.

[0048] The samples were then evaluated and found to have no loss offlexibility, no change in color and no coating delamination.

[0049] Throughout this application various publications are referencedby citation or patent number. The disclosures of these publications intheir entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into thisapplication in order to more fully describe the state of the art towhich this invention pertains.

[0050] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, andit is to be understood that the terminology which has been used isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

[0051] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is,therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for manufacturing a metallizedsubstrate comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; depositing afirst coating layer containing a radiation curable non-volatile filmformer; vacuum depositing a layer of metal material to form adiscontinuous film covering the first coating layer including aplurality of discrete islands of a metal material appearingmacroscopically as a continuous film of such metal and having aplurality of macroscopically unobservable channels between the islandsto maintain the film electrically non-conductive over the first coatinglayer; and depositing a layer of clear resinous protective dielectrictopcoat containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former tocompletely cover the layer of vacuum deposited corrosive metal materialand filling the channels for bonding the metal material to the firstcoating layer throughout the bottom of the channels.
 2. The process formanufacturing a metallized substrate as set forth in claim 1 wherein thefirst coating layer is one of a combined primer/basecoat layer andseparately applied primer and basecoat layers.
 3. The process formanufacturing a metallized substrate as set forth in claim 2 wherein theprimer, basecoat, combined primer/basecoat and topcoat layer have athickness in the range of 0.5 mil to 2.5 mils and each layer can havethe same or different thickness.
 4. The process for manufacturing ametallized substrate as set forth in claim 3 wherein the topcoat layerhas a thickness of
 2. 0 mils.
 5. The process for manufacturing ametallized substrate as set forth in claim 1 wherein the radiationcurable non-volatile film former is selected from the group consistingof melamine acrylate, urethane acrylate, epoxy acrylate and polyesteracrylate.
 6. The process for manufacturing a metallized part as setforth in claim 1 wherein the substrate is made from a material selectedfrom the group consisting of crystalline and amorphous thermoplasticelastomers, polyester alloys, thermoplastic olefins, polyamide alloysand metals.
 7. The process for manufacturing a metallized substrate asset forth in claim 1 wherein the substrate is a sheetstock, with athickness from 0.002 to 2.0 inches, selected from the group consistingof crystalline and amorphous thermoplastic elastomers, polyester alloys,thermoplastic olefins, polyamide alloys, metals, polyester elastomers,polyurethane elastomers thermoplastic polyesters, vinyls, textiles andcellulose based materials.
 8. The process of claim 7 furthercharacterized by the step of abrading the metal layer in random orstructured patterns prior to topcoating.
 9. The process of claim 7further characterized by the step of splattering the metal layer with anacid selected from the group consisting of 1% nitric, sulfuric andhydrochloric acid prior to topcoating wherein a mottled effect visualeffect is provided.
 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the exposure tothe radiation occurs spaced from the depositing of the coating layer,whereby the excess coating layer can be collected and recycled forreuse.
 11. The process of claim 1 wherein a photoinitiator is added tothe radiation curable non-volatile film former.
 12. The process of claim11 wherein the photoinitiator is selected from the group consisting ofphenylketones, benzophenone, diazonium salts, diaryliodonium salts,triarylsulphonium salts, benzoin ethers, thioxantones and oxime esters.13. A process for manufacturing a metallized trim for apparel comprisingthe steps of: providing a substrate suitable for apparel trim;depositing a first coating layer containing a radiation curablenon-volatile film former on the substrate; vacuum depositing a layer ofmetal material to form a discontinuous film covering the first coatinglayer including a plurality of discrete islands of a metal materialappearing macroscopically as a continuous film of such metal and havinga plurality of macroscopically unobservable channels between the islandsto maintain the film electrically non-conductive over the first coatinglayer; and depositing a layer of clear resinous protective dielectrictopcoat containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former tocompletely cover the layer of vacuum deposited corrosive metal materialand filling the channels for bonding the metal material to the firstcoating layer throughout the bottom of the channels.
 14. The process formanufacturing a metallized trim for apparel as set forth in claim 13wherein the first coating layer is one of a combined primer/basecoatlayer and separately applied primer and basecoat layers.
 15. The processfor manufacturing a metallized trim for apparel as set forth in claim 13wherein the substrate is made from a sheetstock selected from the groupconsisting of crystalline and amorphous thermoplastic elastomers,polyester alloys, thermoplastic olefins, polyamide alloys, metals,polyester elastomers, polyurethane elastomers thermoplastic polyesters,vinyls, textiles and cellulose based materials.
 16. The process of claim13 further characterized by the step of abrading the metal layer inrandom or structured patterns prior to topcoating.
 17. The process ofclaim 13 further characterized by the step of splattering the metallayer with an acid selected from the group consisting of 1% nitric,sulfuric and hydrochloric acid prior to topcoating wherein a mottledeffect visual effect is provided.
 18. The process of claim 13 wherein aphotoinitiator is added to the radiation curable non-volatile filmformer.
 19. A metallized substrate comprising: a substrate; a firstcoating layer containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former; alayer of metal material to form a discontinuous film covering said firstcoating layer including a plurality of discrete islands of a metalmaterial appearing macroscopically as a continuous film of such metaland having a plurality of macroscopically unobservable channels betweenthe islands to maintain the film electrically non-conductive over saidfirst coating layer; and a layer of clear resinous protective dielectrictopcoat containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former tocompletely cover said layer of vacuum deposited corrosive metal materialand filling said channels for bonding said metal material to said firstcoating layer throughout the bottom of the channels.
 20. A metallizedsubstrate as set forth in claim 19 wherein said first coating layer isone of a combined primer/basecoat layer and separately applied primerand basecoat layers.
 21. A metallized substrate as set forth in claim 20wherein said primer, basecoat, combined primer/basecoat and topcoatlayers have a thickness in the range of 0.5 mil to 2.5 mils and can bethe same or different.
 22. A metallized substrate as set forth in claim21 wherein said topcoat layer has a thickness of 2.0 mils.
 23. Ametallized substrate as set forth in claim 19 wherein said radiationcurable non-volatile film former is selected from the group consistingof melamine acrylate, urethane acrylate, epoxy acrylate and polyesteracrylate.
 24. A metallized part as set forth in claim 19 wherein saidsubstrate is made from a material selected from the group consisting ofcrystalline and amorphous thermoplastic elastomers, polyester alloys,thermoplastic olefins, polyamide alloys, polyester elastomers,polyurethane elastomers thermoplastic polyesters and metals.
 25. Ametallized substrate as set forth in claim 19 wherein said substrate isa sheetstock selected from the group consisting of crystalline andamorphous thermoplastic elastomers, polyester alloys, thermoplasticolefins, polyamide alloys, polyester elastomers, polyurethane elastomersthermoplastic polyesters, metals, vinyls, textiles and cellulose basedmaterials.
 26. A metallized substrate as set forth in claim 19 furthercharacterized by said metal layer being abraded in random or structuredpatterns.
 27. A metallized substrate as set forth in claim 19 furthercharacterized by said metal layer being splattered with an acid selectedfrom the group consisting of 1% nitric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acid.28. A metallized substrate as set forth in claim 25 furthercharacterized by said sheetstock having a thickness with the range of0.002 to 2.0 inches.
 29. A thin extrusion metallized polymer sheetstockprepared with the island coating system whereby said sheetstock can bedie cut on high speed electrically resisted die blades.
 30. A thinextruded metallized elastomeric plastic sheetstock prepared with theisland coating system forming a discontinuous metal layer on one of afirst surface and second surface of said sheetstock, whereby saidsheetstock can be flexed without causing crinkles or other distortionsin the flexed material while retaining the aesthetic properties of saidmetal layer.
 31. A thin extruded metallized elastomeric plasticsheetstock as set forth in claim 30 further characterized by having arange of thickness from 0.002 to 0.010 inches.
 32. A thin extrudedmetallized elastomeric plastic sheetstock as set forth in claim 30further characterized by said sheetstock being transparent ortranslucent.
 33. A thin extruded metalized elastomeric plasticsheetstock prepared with the island coating system forming adiscontinuous metal layer on both a first surface and second surface ofsaid sheetstock.